Thursday, December 14, 2017

Ways to Reduce Stress this Holiday Season

The holidays arrive at the same time every year and still never cease to catch people by surprise. Gift-giving, entertaining and holiday travel expenses can all add up quickly. With crowded stores and an ever-growing list of people to shop for, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and to overspend. Read on for some holiday tips to reduce your stress this giving season.

1. Revise Your Gift List
A lot of the people you exchange gifts with would be relieved to be taken off your list. Talk to coworkers and acquaintances about just exchanging cards this year, or make a deal to only exchange homemade or inexpensive gifts. This way, you can focus on buying special gifts for those closest to you instead of generic gifts for everyone you’ve ever met.

2. Organize a Yankee Swap or Secret Santa
Still got a mile-long list? Try one of these creative solutions! A Yankee Swap or a Secret Santa activity saves money and stress while adding a bit of intrigue to any party. Everyone involved only needs to bring a single gift within the same price range – and it’s always fun.

3. Stay on Track
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, try to stick to your normal routine. Prioritize your workouts and healthy eating. You’ll have more energy for the holidays if you are taking care of and being kind to yourself.

4. Treat Yourself
While you’re out Christmas shopping for everyone on your list, why not throw in an extra gift for you? Go get a massage or take some time to have lunch with old friends. Plus, if you use your Community Financial Platinum Rewards or World MasterCard between November 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017, you can earn 2x reward points on all of your net purchases! You can redeem those points for an extra treat after the holidays on gift cards, travel, merchandise, statement credit and much more!

5. Plan Ahead for Travel
Do you plan on traveling to see family and friends over the holidays? In addition to packing light and leaving extra time for delays, let Community Financial know when you will be away so we can monitor your transactions. Having a travel alert set up on your account can help reduce stress of your credit card getting denied while you’re enjoying the holidays.

Your Turn: How do you get through the holiday season? Share your tips with us in the comments!